NSF launches first phase of ILP checking; Appeals to govt to set up proper mechanism

Kohima, August 8: Alleging that the Nagaland government has failed to curb the influx of illegal immigrants into the State, the apex students’ body – Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) today launched its first phase of checking of Inner Line Permit (ILP) on non-Naga inhabitants.
Addressing a press conference in the office of Angami Students’ Union (ASU) here this evening, NSF president Kesosul Christopher Ltu said that the checking of ILP by its sub-ordinate units was necessitated as it is feared that people not having their names in the final draft of National Register of Citizens published by Assam government would enter into Nagaland.
“We have submitted several representations and reiteration letters were submitted to the state government, including last September and even on March 21 this year after the new government took over. We have recommended for separate ILP monitoring Cell with breakup of non-Nagas in different fields in the State,” he said.
Nonetheless, he lamented that the government replied saying that it would consider the issues put forth by NSF.
“Government mechanism has failed to monitor the influx of illegal immigrants and defaulters of ILP and so as concerned students’ body, we are compelled to perform such action,” he said.
He said that the volunteers deployed by the sub-ordinate units in Kohima, Mokokchung, Wokha, Zunheboto, Peren and Phek are checking the ILP and relevant documents of non-Nagas coming into the State in order to segregate the genuine Indian citizens from the illegal immigrants.
Maintaining that Dimapur district, is the only district presently not under the purview of ILP, Ltu said that its unit in Dimapur has deployed volunteers in Chumukedima Police Check Gate and are verifying every passenger vehicles. Those found without proper documents are not being allowed to proceed further, he said, adding at least 9 such persons were sent back from the gate.
Pointing that major chunk of illegal immigrants are based in Dimapur, he reiterated the demanding for bringing Dimapur into the purview of ILP.
Ltu also informed that in Kohima, the volunteers verified the documents in interior areas, taxi stand and main town. At least 17 persons were caught without ILP while 18 persons were staying despite the expiry of their permit, he said.
Stating that the defaulters would be handed over to the police for deportation, the Federation was of the view that “just deportation would not be enough but exemplary action should be initiated.
In this, the NSF expressed apprehension on the sincerity of the district administration in enforcing ILP in the State.
During today’s checking, he said that the volunteers detected that on expiry of the ILPs the issuing authority simply used to put signature with word ‘renewed’. Nonetheless, he pointed that as per law a person should go back before the expiry of the permit and return with fresh ILP.
The NSF demanded that the government should put in place proper mechanism to check the validity of the ILP while also suggesting that the CCTVs put up in the check gates and entry & exit points should be proper functional not only to monitor the influx of illegal immigrants but also the sincerity of the officers posted in the area.
The NSF president also informed that it would soon conduct a mass public rally and submit a memorandum to the State government on influx of illegal immigrants and defaulters of ILP.
“We will not allow the illegal immigrants and ILP defaulters to stay comfortably but we will conduct such surprise checking even in the future,” he said, while also seeking feedback from the people if volunteers manhandle anyone during the checking.
Meanwhile, on the issue of remaining districts sharing border with Assam, which comes under the jurisdiction of Eastern Nagaland Students’ Federation, Ltu expressed hope that their counterpart there would also take measures to check the illegal influx.
NSF general secretary Imtiyapang Imsong and ASU president Visako Rino were also present during the media briefing. (Page News Service)